PEOPLE: VP Exploration Greg Hahn; CEO Mike Stark
How did the stock perform during your tenure of your previous companies?
GREG: I was CEO and built Constellation Copper from a $0.05 stock in 2000 to +$3.00 at its peak in 2006. I left the company when the stock was $1.25 in 2007.
I joined the Board and took the helm at Metalline Mining in 2007 when the stock was $0.20, and immediately did a 50:50 merger with a capital pool company. Two years later the stock peaked above $1.00 (thanks to $50 silver prices, as I was promoting the company’s silver assets). I turned the company over to the capital pool principles who renamed it Silver Bull and left with the stock price around $0.75 in 2010.
I was also one of the founding shareholders of Marathon PGM Company. As an Independent Director we took the stock to over $1.00 and sold the Marathon PGM project to Stillwater Mining Company for C$170 million. I left the Board, but the company kept their gold assets in Newfoundland and are now Marathon Gold Corp with a market cap of over $350 million.
MIKE: AZS represents my first venture as CEO, however, I come to this leadership role with over 35 years of business experience in the private sector as an owner and operator of two successful companies. I also have 29 years in the public sector which provides a unique perspective. I have experience navigating a variety of challenges, overcoming obstacles, and looking for innovative solutions. I pride myself on making connections and building relationships. My background
includes corporate financing, investor relations, market support and corporate strategic development. Companies worked with in the past include Exeter Resources and Extorre Resources. They both were bought by Yamana Gold in 2012. I continued with Exeter until it was purchased by Goldcorp in 2017.
How much of your own capital have you invested in your stock? Exclude options and warrants that have been granted without personal investment.
GREG: I have invested roughly US$360,000 in Arizona Silver.
MIKE: I have invested just over CAD$601,500 in Arizona Silver.
TheGoldAdvisor comment: It’s clear Greg and Mike have substantial successful experience. With plenty of their own capital at stake. These are the things we want to see in a leadership team.
POLITICAL RISK
Arizona is known as a strong mining jurisdiction, but what has been your experience with regulators, politicians, and locals so far?
BLM is very fair and responsive. Philadelphia (flagship), Ramsey and Silverton are adjacent to and on BLM administered lands. The US Forest Service can be difficult.
TheGoldAdvisor comment: That 3 of the company’s 4 projects are on BLM land bodes well for permitting going forward.
PROPERTIES
Briefly, what advancements has your properties seen so far?
In two years, we have:
- Acquired the Philadelphia property and discovered a high-grade gold-silver deposit. One of the most exciting gold discoveries currently in the state of Arizona.
- We have drilled 93 drill holes to date, to define the length and width of the deposit.
- We bought out the royalty and now own 100% of the Philadelphia property (except the 3 patented claims, ~4,500 feet).
Going forward, what makes Arizona Silver compelling for investors?
- AZS anticipates having a large gold-silver resource clearly defined over the
next 2-3 years of drilling.
- AZS has one of the best financial ratios in the business. 84% of every dollar goes into the ground, creating great opportunity and value for our shareholders.
- Management & Directors own 28% of Arizona Silver Exploration and have never sold a single share! Our interests are aligned with shareholders.
- 100% ownership of all 4 properties.
TheGoldAdvisor comment: If management can meet that first bullet point above, we will easily see a multiple in return over that time period. That 84% figure is very impressive, which highlights management’s commitment to running a tight ship and would be the envy of many junior explorers.